DENVER -- Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals, and the Colorado Avalanche avoided elimination with a 7-4 win against the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round at Ball Arena on Thursday. The best-of-7 series is tied. Game 7 is in Dallas on Saturday.

Dallas takes a 3-2 series lead into Denver looking to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Dallas Stars entered the third period on Thursday night, 20 minutes away from eliminating the Colorado Avalanche, holding on to a 4-3 lead. There were so many encouraging things to talk about as the night went along.